Big Fight Weekend Boxing Podcast

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  • 5.0 (5)
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  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

From the opening bell to the final round, our boxing shows are tailored to the fight fan of today and even, yesterday. Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael, who is the premier boxing media personality in the U.S., come your way with a Friday preview and a Monday recap of everything in the boxing ring, every weekend. Plus, you'll hear from the biggest named fighters present and past in one on one interviews. And, the guys LOVE to talk nostalgia of the great fighters like Muhammad Ail, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquaio and more. If you are even a casual boxing fan, you will want to be with us on the "Big Fight Weekend Boxing Podcast Feed."

  1. Carlos Adames Defends WBC Middlweight Crown + Zayas-Boots Ennis Happening? | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    2D AGO

    Carlos Adames Defends WBC Middlweight Crown + Zayas-Boots Ennis Happening? | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    We're back off an entertaining weekend of action, as the WBC middleweight crown was on the line in Orlando, FL, an interim super middleweight title fight in California and was it the end for a featherweight big name contender in Ireland? We go over it all on the latest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter to give their takes. First, a recap of Saturday’s Matchroom DAZN card in Orlando, Florida Middleweight Carlos Adames dominates Austin "Ammo" Williams over 12 rounds and retains the WBC title, Now, what's next? Also on the card, junior middleweight Omari Jones was impressive in a decision over Christian Gomez and Heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana KOs Curtis Harper with one shot. Dan has more on both. Then, a recap of Saturday’s ProBoxTV card in San Bernardino, California Super middleweight Lester Martinez wins easily too over 12 rounds over Immanuwel Aleem, andwins the "vacant" interim WBC 168 lb. Now, do we get a rematch with Christian Mbilli? Plus, Dan's No. 7 prospect, featherweight Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez smashes Brandon Chambers in the first. BIG future for Chop Chop. And, a recap of Friday’s MF Pro main event on DAZN in Belfast, Northern Ireland Featherweight Kevin Walsh of Massachuesetts gets a controversial split over home country favorite Michael Conlan, And, Conlan announces retirement after fight.   Then, Some news Negotiations are going on for WBO/WBA junior middleweight titleholder Xander Zayas to defend against WBA interim titlist Jaron “Boots” Ennis in a fight targeted for June now that Vergil Ortiz-Ennis talks are dead for now. We like this.... if it happens.   There are reports that Golden Boy Promotions and DAZN will announce a new contract in the coming days. Oscar is hinting at it and what does this mean for the DAZN subscription price rising, too? Dan is reporting on plans for new WBC welterweight titlist Ryan Garcia make his first defense headlining a Ring magazine card in mid-July.  Dan has more on Garcia's hand injury. And, light heavyweight up-and-comer Ben Whittaker, the flashy 2020 British Olympic silver medalist many tab for surefire stardom, will be back for his second fight with Matchroom on the undercard of WBO interim light heavyweight titlist Callum Smith’s first defense against David Morrell on April 18 (DAZN) at M&S Bank Arena in Smith’s hometown of Liverpool, England. It's all on the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

    43 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Carlos Adames Defends vs "Ammo" Williams + Top Rank Has Broadcast Deal And More News! | BFW Preview Podcast

    We are back for a weekend that has compelling title fights in Orlando and California and we have lots of fight news to go over, too, on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives returns with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and newsletter to go over it all First a preview of the Saturday Matchroom DAZN card in Orlando, Florida Carlos Adames vs. Austin Williams, 12 rounds, for Adames’ WBC middleweight title. Adames had problems making weight two months ago to postpone this one. And, "Ammo" Williams can fight. We have some analysis. Also, former Olympian Omari Jones vs. Christian Gomez, 8 rounds, junior middleweights. And massive Teremoana Teremoana vs. Curtis Harper, 8 rounds, heavyweights. We have more on those two bouts. Then, a preview of Saturday's ProBoxTV main event in San Bernardino, California Lester Martinez vs. Immanuwel Aleem, for vacant WBC interim super middleweight title. Martinez is an action fighter looking to move up in the status in 168 lb. ranks. Some News  Top Rank back in business. Press conference was on Wednesday at New York’s Madison Square Garden to announce their multi-year deal with DAZN. We have more on some of the specifics and does it mean that another prominent promotion, Golden Boy, is now out in the cold with DAZN? Next, WBC junior welterweight titlist Dalton Smith and former titleholder and mandatory challenger Alberto Puello two weeks after their mandatory was ordered have a deal. Paperwork being finalized for June 6th in a Matchroom Boxing headlined in Smith’s hometown of Sheffield, England. Dan has more. With Frank Sanchez-Richard Torrez Jr. IBF heavyweight eliminator postponed, PBC made some changes to the Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view card on March 28: New co-feature is a junior middleweight fight between former interim titleholders Yoenis Tellez and Brian Mendoza. -- Middleweight bout between Yoenli Hernandez Terrell Gausha intact -- New PPV opener: 10-round heavyweight fight between promising Gurgen Hovhannisyan and Cesar Navarro -- Super middleweight fight between Elijah Garcia and Kevin Newman II was the opener but now will be the final bout of the free prelims on Prime Video. Also, PBC officially announces David Benavidez-Zurdo Ramirez PPV undercard on May 2:  WBA super mddleweight titlist Armando Reséndiz defends vs. Jaime Munguía  Junior welterweight Oscar Duarte vs. Angel Fierro  Junior middleweight Isaac Lucero vs. Alan Sandoval   And, back to Top Rank, which has promoted heavyweight Jared Anderson for his entire career, is in talks with Queensberry Promotions about a co-promotional deal, that could start with his appearance the Wardley-Dubois card May 9th. Dan has more on why this move and they discuss is Anderson still motivated to be a a great fighter or not? It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

    1h 3m
  3. Keith Thurman Conversation With Dan Rafael 3 15 26

    MAR 16

    Keith Thurman Conversation With Dan Rafael 3 15 26

    Coming up Saturday night March 28th in Las Vegas, former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman will challenge WBC junior middleweight champ Sebastian Fundora in an intriguing "PBC on Prime" PPV main event. But before we get to that fight week, hear "One Time" with our insider Dan Rafael in a one on one conversation. Can Thurman recapture his championship form of the 2010's despite a series of long layoffs that have him having fought only twice since 2019? His only career loss is to future hall of famer Manny Pacquiao and he did demonstrate somethig by going to Australia and getting a KO of Brock Jarvis. Also, what about the imposing height and reach of the champion Fundora in this matchup? Thurman always has something to say on any and all subjects, and he doesn't disappoint here on this special "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast." And, make sure to follow/subscribe to this feed on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

    19 min

  4. MAR 13

    Barboza-Sims Headlines For Golden Boy, Dickens Defends Against Cacace In Ireland And More! | BFW Preview Podcast

    We ready for an action packed weekend of championship action from Ireland to Southern California on the newest "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast!" Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael return for their insight and takes. First, they preview the Golden Boy DAZN card Saturday night in Anaheim, California Welterweight Arnold Barboza meets Kenneth Sims in a 12 round contender main event. Both are looking to stay in contention in the division. Also, WBO/WBA strawweight champion Oscar Collazo defends against Jesus Haro. Welterweight Alexis Rocha looks to get back on the winning track vs. veteran Jo Jo Diaz, and  undisputed women’s flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora meets her mandatory challenger Viviana Ruiz Corredor.   Then, a preview of the Queensberry DAZN main event on Saturday in Dublin, Ireland James "Jazza" Dickens battles former world champ. Anthony Cacace, 12 rounds, for Dickens’ WBA junior lightweight title. This will be a rockiing atmosphere for two hard hitting 130 lb. fighters.   Some news Jai Opetaia team has sent legal letters to various industry folks demanding records preservation ahead of a possible lawsuit against the IBF by he and Zuffa Boxing claiming “that the IBF's abrupt decision to withdraw was the product of coordinated, industry-wide collusion designed to punish him for working with Zuffa and to deter other athletes from doing the same.” Big Dan was texted the letter from a numbe he did not know and I know at least one other boxing writer it was also sent to. It's CRAZY and he has more!  Per sources, negotiations are ongoing for a fight between former lightweight titlist Gervonta Davis and WBC interim junior welterweight titlist Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz to meet in a rematch that would headline a PBC on Prime PPV this summer while Davis’ court case winds it way through the Florida legal system. The boys discuss. Dan is also reporting, lineal and unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert have a  deal. The purse bid scheduled for this past Tuesday was cancdeled and the fight is supposed to be added to the Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven Ring magazine undercard on May 23 outdoors at the Pyramids of Giza in Giza, Egypt. Bivol's manager Vadim Kornilov also told Dan about Bivol’s “hit list” for his next three fights.   Heavyweight contender Frank Sanchez is dealing with inflammation in his surgically repaired knee, which forced him on Wednesday to postpone his IBF title eliminator against Richard Torrez Jr. on the March 28 Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman PBC on Prime Video PPV. Sources told me plans are to reschedule it for May 30 on the undercard of the soon-to-be-finalized Devin Haney-Rolando Romero welterweight unification fight in Brooklyn.   The IBF on Tuesday stripped Janibek Alimkhanuly of its middleweight world title but not specifically due to the failed VADA test but because by the time returns from a year suspension he will not have been able to fulfill his mandatory defense, which is due on or before July 4.   Tim Tszyu will take a warm-up fight before an expected summer bout with Errol Spence. He will fight Denis Nurja in a 10-rounder at 157 pounds in Wollongong, Australia. PBC announced Wednesday the card will be stream on Prime Video in the U.S. on April 4 at 9 p.m. (April 5 morning in Australia). Card also includes Australia’s Sam Goodman in a hometown fight against Rodrigo Ruiz in an IBF junior featherweight title eliminator.   And, Zuffa Boxing 05 card is set for April 5 at Apex in Las Vegas. Main event announced during Opetaia-Glanton card: Andres Cortes will move up to lightweight and fight Eridson Garcia. Also, not announced yet but per Dan's reporting, in the co-feature, former WBC featherweight titlist Mark Magsayo will face former WBA junior lightweight title challenger Feargal McCrory in a 10-rounder as both also move up to lightweight. Hear it all on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

    1h 3m
  5. Jai Opetaia Wins In Ring But Stripped By IBF + Other Fight News! | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    MAR 9

    Jai Opetaia Wins In Ring But Stripped By IBF + Other Fight News! | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    Off of a controversial wekend in Vegas, where it ended up that Jai Opetaia of Australia was NOT the IBF champiion any longer for fighting the Zuffa Boxing main event, we're ready to recap his victory in the ring, have some other fight news and more on the 'Fight Freaks Unite Recap" Podcast! Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter have their insight on it all. They begin with the background of the IBF stripping Opetaia just before the bout in Las Vegas with American Brandon Glanton- a fight that the Aussie won easily over 12 rounds. It was still for the Ring Magazine version of the crusierweight crown and  for Opetaia’s lineal cruiserweight title, but Dan wants to konw- WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?! The guys have thoughts, including the ramifications for Opetaia down the road, etc. Also, there's a recap of former WBA featherweight titlist Mauricio Lara scoring a TKO2 over Mexican countryman Rafael Rosas on Saturday night in the main event of the Boxstrs/Chiquita Boxing card that headlined the ESPN "Knock Out" telecast.   Then, some news: WBO welterweight titleholder Devin Haney and WBA titlist Rolando Romero are negotiating a unification fight targeted for May 30 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The bout would be PBC on Prime Video PPV and Dan has also latest. Next, undisputed junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue will defend his crown against three-division titleholder Junto Nakatani in the long-expected and highly anticipated showdown on May 2nd at the Tokyodome in Tokyo, Ohashi Promotions announced at a news conference on Friday in Tokyo. This is a tremendous all Japanese matchup that we are looking forward to for May. We have more on Friday’s announcement of the Most Valuable Promotions/ESPN deal that is long term for women's boxing to regularly be part of ESPN's linear channel and their other platforms over a multi-year deal. Alycia Baumgardner headlines the first U.S. show in April. The WBC has ordered junior welterweight titlist Dalton Smith to make his first defense against mandatory challenger and former titleholder Alberto Puello. A purse bid on April 3rd will happen, if no deal is reached before then. And, Mario Barrios announced that he will move up to junior middleweight in the wake of losing the WBC welterweight title by near-shutout decision to Ryan Garcia last month. It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

    52 min

  6. MAR 6

    Jai Opetaia Defends.... But What Title? + De La Hoya Gets Legal Win And Floyd Mayweather Another Exhibition? | BFW Preview Podcast

    We are back and ready for a "Title" Fight at cruiserweight, but curious as to which title is at stake in Las Vegas Sunday night. We sort that and preview that matchup and have some fight news on the "Big Fight Weekend Preview" Podcast! Host T.J. Rives is back with insider Dan Rafael to go over it all. They start with Sunday night’s Zuffa Boxing main event at the Apex in Las Vegas Jai Opetaia vs. Brandon Glanton, for Opetaia’s lineal cruiserweight title, the Ring Magazine belt, the Zuffa new title, but what about Opetaia's IBF championship? That's unclear. We have the latest.    Then, some news Golden Boy Promotions won a legal victory in United States District Court in Nevada on Monday night, as Judge Cristina Silva keeps Golden Boy's interim injunctive relief preventing, at least for now, Vergil Ortiz from contracting for the Jarpm Ennis. She has ordered the case be settled in arbitration. We explain what it all means for now? Then, William Zepeda and Lamont Roach Jr. will fight for the vacant WBC lightweight title stripped from Shakur Stevenson last month. However, how is the "interim" WBC 135 lb. champ Jadier Herrera not involved? Floyd Mayweather announces another exhibition- this one for June 27 in Athens, Greece, vs. Mike Zambidis, a retired Greek kickboxer who won a variety of world titles in various promotions during his 2000 to 2015 career.  How many exhibitions are we up to with Floyd before he rematches Pacquiao in September? MVP is hosting a press conference at Madison Square Garden on Friday for what it says is a major announcement. Per Dan's reporting, it will be to announce an April 17 card involving Alycia Baumgardner in a unified women’s junior lightweight title defense vs. former lightweight title challenger Bo Mi Re Shin of Korea with the card on ESPN as the first of multiple ESPN events.   Eddie Hearn announced Thursday he has signed UFC heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall as his first client of the newly created Matchroom Talent Agency. Will put him negotiating with Dana White on Aspinnal’s UFC fight. That should be fun to hear Eddie talk about how underpaid UFC fighters are. We go over the latest in the fued. And, with Oscar Duarte having his title shot vs. Richardson Hitchins canceled the day of the fight from the Barrios-Garcia card,  Golden Boy tells Dan they plan to add him to the May 2 Benavidez-Zurdo PPV card. It's all part of the "Big Fight Weekend Preview Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

    47 min
  7. Jai Opetaia Conversation With Dan Rafael 3 3 26 | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    MAR 4

    Jai Opetaia Conversation With Dan Rafael 3 3 26 | Fight Freaks Unite Podcast

    Coming up Sunday night in Las Vegas, IBF cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia will make his debut with Zuffa Boxing in their main event. However, is this fight for his title or will he potentially have to give it up, as Zuffa seems insistent on not doing business with the existing boxing organizations? Well he addresses that situation and the opponent he's faciing, American Brandon Glanton and more with our insider Dan Rafael. Will the hard hitting, unbeaten Aussie Opetaia get bigger and better fights because of Zuffa or will this quicklly turn into a mess out of the ring for him? We are about to find out. Here more from the champ on this "Fight Freaks Unite Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.

    17 min
  8. Emanuel Navarrete Pummels Nunez + Jai Opetaia With Dan And Usyk Fighting Kick Boxer? | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    MAR 2

    Emanuel Navarrete Pummels Nunez + Jai Opetaia With Dan And Usyk Fighting Kick Boxer? | Fight Freaks Unite Recap

    It was a devastating performance for Mexican star Emanuel Navarrete to become unified champ, plus, we've got the IBF cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia with us and more on the latest "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast." Host T.J. Rives is back along with insider Dan Rafael of his Fight Freaks Unite Substack and Newsletter to give their insight and more. First, they recap Saturday’s Matchroom Boxing DAZN card from Glendale, Arizona Navarrete dominated and scored a TKO11 over Eduardo "Sugar" Nunez and unifies WBO/IBF 130 lb. titles. It was a great showing, but why did the referee and ring doctor, etc. not stop it quicker? Plus, what's out there for the new unified champ? And, on the undercard, Emiliano Vargas TKO9 Agustin Quintana, junior welterweights and upset as Abel Ramos W10 split decision over prospect Tahmir Smalls at welterweight   Next, Jai Opetaia joins Dan, as next Sunday March 8th he defends the lineal, and supposedly the IBF cruiserweight title against Brandon Glanton in the main event of the Zuffa Boxing card at the Apex in Las Vegas on Paramount+. Hear Opetaia on why he's signed with Zuffa and what he expects in this one and beyond? Then, NEWS Lineal/unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will fight Rico Verhoeven, a former longtime kickboxing heavyweight champion and regarded as one of the greatest kickboxers ever, in the main event of a Ring magazine card on May 23 (DAZN PPV) outdoors to the exotic backdrop of the Pyramids of Giza in Giza, Egypt. On Sunday, the WBC announced it will sanction it as a title fight. WBA and IBF have both told me they have not been contacted about the bout. Ryan Garcia healing from a sprained right hand in his win over Mario Barrios but said on social media he will be back this summer and wants to fight Devin Haney in a rematch/unification fight. Discussions for a fight between Edgar Berlanga and Chris Eubank Jr. possibly at super middleweight. Both need a win. The exodus of talent continues in drips from Top Rank as former WBO featherweight titlist and two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez announced Friday that his contract with Top Rank has expired and that he is a free agent. And, Queensberry Promotions is headed to France as its international expansion continues in April with a DAZN card in Paris headlined by French heavyweight Tony Yoka vs. former cruserweight champ, Lawrence Okolie and junior middleweight up-and-comer Bakary Samake vs. Ermal Hadribeaj in the co-feature.   It's all part of the "Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast" and make sure to follow/subscribe on Apple/Spreaker/Spotify, etc.!

    1h 19m
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About

From the opening bell to the final round, our boxing shows are tailored to the fight fan of today and even, yesterday. Host T.J. Rives and insider Dan Rafael, who is the premier boxing media personality in the U.S., come your way with a Friday preview and a Monday recap of everything in the boxing ring, every weekend. Plus, you'll hear from the biggest named fighters present and past in one on one interviews. And, the guys LOVE to talk nostalgia of the great fighters like Muhammad Ail, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquaio and more. If you are even a casual boxing fan, you will want to be with us on the "Big Fight Weekend Boxing Podcast Feed."

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